Old Memories

South Bend man remembers close calls flying a B-17 bomber in World War II.

South Bend man remembers close calls flying a B-17 bomber in World War II.

July 22, 2008|By TOM MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

ELKHART -- As Robert Wright glanced over at the B-17 bomber on display Monday, the memories came flooding back. As a young man more than 60 years ago, Wright, a lifelong South Bend resident, flew similar bombers over Germany during World War II missions. Thirty-five missions to be exact -- all for the 34th Bomb Group out of Mendelsham, England. Although he saw his share of close calls, each time Wright was able to bring his nine-member crew back safely. "Our 32nd mission was the most dangerous," recalled Wright, 87. "We were getting shot at. It was the end of the war, and I think the Germans were trying to make their last hurrah. I looked back and could see all the planes coming in, and I thought, 'It's time to get out of here.' They shot the engine out, but missed the cockpit. "We made it back safely with a wing and a prayer." Wright's missions, which included various targets such as tank factories and oil refineries, were all dangerous. "We were an elite task force," he said. "We were usually the first ones in." Well after Wright retired from the Air Force, the B-17 remained a special part of his life. He always takes the opportunity to tour one and reminisce. He got another chance to see one of the bombers up close Monday at the Elkhart Municipal Airport. The B-17 bomber, Aluminum Overcast, was on display at the airport for media members and veterans to see and tour. The public is invited to tour today and Wednesday. "It brings back a lot of memories," Wright said. Elkhart is one of nearly 60 stops planned for the plane this year during a "Salute to Veterans" national tour. The bomber, which was built in 1945 in Seattle, was mainly used for surveying after the war ended. But it looked just like the one Wright flew decades ago. When Wright learned the engines on the plane were made at a Studebaker plant, he beamed with pride. His father used to make aviation parts at the former South Bend automotive plant. "When I came home from a break during the war, I visited my father at the plant," said Wright, who enlisted after the attack on Pearl Harbor. "I don't think he's ever been so proud in his life. Kind of like a homegrown kid makes good." Tom Murphy, 87, of South Bend, also saw his fair share of B-17 bombers during the war, too. But instead of flying them, Murphy repaired the planes. Stationed in Puerto Rico, Murphy was a crew chief and flight engineer, repairing and fixing old planes before they were sent to the battle zones. The B-17s always impressed the lifelong South Bend resident. "It was the first heavy bomber other than the B-24," said Murphy, as he toured Aluminum Overcast on Monday. "It was the first big bomber. They're a very impressive plane." Murphy jokes that he didn't have much experience fixing planes before the war, but added he learned enough to get the job done. "Most of it was just remove and replace," he joked. Wright, meanwhile, walked around the plane in Elkhart, wishing he could start it up and head down the runway. "I'd like to get back in the air and take it home," he said. He wouldn't have anyone shooting at him this time. Staff writer Tom Moor: tmoor@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6187